On the recordJuly 6, 2016
First of all, I want to apologize to Mr. Renacci for wrecking his name. It has happened to me a lot of times. Secondly, I am not a lawyer, but what the gentleman said made a lot of sense to me. I wonder--I wonder--if what applies to us could, in front of some judge with some good lawyers around, also apply to this agency. We can't raise or reduce our salary during one period or during one congressional period. We have to do it for the next Congress. We can't do it for ourselves. I wonder if someone could rule that you can't just lower the salary of the commissioner to zero during the term of that commissioner. Now, here is the other thing. We know that the argument is being made that it is a reduction to the agency, to bring the director of the agency, whoever he is, to zero. But there is nobody silly enough here to think that it is not directed at one person, and that is really very silly to just direct at one person and to start this trend of having zero as a salary. {time} 0030 There is only one person in this country right now that is running for something that can afford not to get paid, and he will probably get paid. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Buck). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes appeared to have it.
